Alabama says it has asked on multiple occasions that the company that allegedly propositioned Alabama players to use the controversial deer antler spray before the 2012 BCS National Championship Game to stay out of contact with the team.

The university has sent two cease-and-desist letters to S.W.A.T.S.—Sports with Alternatives to Steroids—and says it has for a while been aware of the company based in Birmingham, Ala.

Alabama's Adrian Hubbard was one player named in the Sports Illustrated report. (AP Photo)

“UA has been aware of this situation for some time, and we have monitored this company for several years,” the university said in a statement released to AL.com. “They have twice ignored cease and desist letters sent by our compliance office. We have maintained consistent education our student-athletes regarding the substances in question and will continue to do so.”

An SI.com report begins in stark detail with a recounting of a meeting at a New Orleans hotel between several Alabama players—including current linebacker Adrian Hubbard and former defensive standouts Quinton Dial and Alex Watkins—and Christopher Key, one of two men who founded and operate S.W.A.T.S.

The meeting took place prior to the national championship game vs. LSU in January of 2012—without the knowledge of Alabama’s coaches—and was recorded by Key with a pen camera, according to the report.

The recording reportedly shows Key presenting the players with several substances—in spray, powder and liquid form—as well as hologram “chips” intended to stimulate and preserve energy.

It’s unclear which of the substances contained banned substances, but IGF-1, found in the deer antler spray, is banned by the NCAA as well as the NFL and other pro leagues.

In a 2012 letter, Matt Self, Alabama’s director of compliance wrote in part: “Any future contact should be directed to the coaching staff, the athletics training staff, or the compliance office. Additionally, we ask that you not give or sell any product to our student-athletes. If they wish to use your product, they should obtain them through the athletic training staff and under the supervision of the athletic training staff.”